EskWeston

We have managed. Who would have thought at the start of the season we would have been able to cope playing without Essien, Mikel, Lampard and Ballack - most people though Maka and Sidwell wouldn't get a game because of those 4......

Well we have become a major threat to the Media and FA Darlings. They must be s**ting themselves at the thought of us being 4 points behind them winning our last 8 games with the majority of our best players out and those players all comming back in soon for the final push.... So it is just natural for them to try and destabalise us now

Flair?? Essien??? Surely not Essien is a fantastic powerful midfielder, but i wouldn't say flair is one of his qualities!! The sooner they all come back the better. Ballack and Sheva are almost ready to come back, Lamps and JT not too far behind and then get the African boys back and we are up to full strength and then things get very interesting.

This season Mikel has been more influential to our play so i would like to see him back first. But to have either of them back would be a huge bonus.

What a load of crap, who are the bloody press to tell someone how to live their lives, they are the scum of the earth. Essien clearly has a very good reason why he hasn't seen his dad in 10 years, i am sure 10 years ago his dad couldn't give a s**t and now Essien is rich and famous all of a sudden he wants to know........ No-one should judge in this situation and Essien can do what he likes

I agree, him and Ledley will make a good pairing............in the treatment room

They would be f**ked, Man you and Arse have both shown that they can't cope without key players. Take Rooney and Ronaldo out of Man you and they become very very average. To have gone through January so far winning 7 games out of 7 with our injuries and the ACN is unbelievable.

Your right we are due to give someone a thumping, we have been playing very well with a limited squad and there are a lot of players who will be feeling the strain. Being back at the bridge after a very good run could be good for us to play some good football but Reading are always dogged opponents for us and it will be a hard game no doubt.

I think that it is very obvious that we have done far better this season so far than anyone would have thought possible. We lost our greatest ever manager, we have had injuries that are just beyond belief to key players, we have lost 4 of our best performers to the African Cup of Nations and yet here we are in the final of the Carling Cup, in the last 16 of the FA Cup with a lovely draw, in the last 16 of the Champions League with a nice draw and pulled our way back into the title race. When we get players back we really could knock on this season and achieve something big, but it won't be easy because Arsenal and Man you are both having great seasons too. As far as the future is concerned at the moment i have good feelings about it, we have made 3 very very good signings this January and i think that in the summer there will be a bot of rearranging with some more exciting player arriving to take us to a different level. We have weathered a very hard storm and now we need to come out the other side and kick on.

Watching the footage on CTV last night, it was very funny to see the likes of these players who are themselves idols to many getting all excited and nervous about meeting Diego.

Wonderful! Just what we need, another one to add to the injury list!! I am suprised our medical room can cope with them all to be honest

Strange appointment from Newcastle!!! And not sure why Wise is doing it either...... The Newcastle circus rolls on...

I would guess a rest and training will be given to them although with the squad looking bigger and players being out through injury we may end up putting a strong team out.

Maybe was over here anyway. But i would guess he would have taken the time to come and see Di Santo. Maradonna has always taken a huge interest in the young talented Argentinian players and has been very close to Tevez and Messi for years.

Yup having Ballack and Sheva back will be a massive massive boost. Although i can't at the moment see us leaving the 4-3-3 formation that is working so well. Although i think Anelka or Sheva could play on the wing as a more advanced winger.

Any chance to give the players who play most games a rest and give the fringe players a run out is good. Especially at this stage of the season. Not sure if the African boys are back by then or not though.

Excellant, must have been great for young Di Santo.

Yup and hopefully Di Santo and Ivanovic as well.....

Depends when the management think he is ready, could be for the Reading game.

Top draw as far as we are concerned. A home tie against lower league opposition will give us a chance to rest a few players thats for sure and to see one of United and the Arse go out before the quarters is also a massive bonus.

Looks like he is going to be in a similar situation to Sinclair, a full first team squad member but who will play in the reserve games to keep match fitness up, can't wait to see him make his first appearance in the reserves.

It will be good to have a home game again after 3 aways on the trot and Reading are not having the best of seasons so i would expect us to come through this one. Hopefully that little scrote hunt will play and get the treatment he deserves from the Chelsea fans.

I thought we played pretty well on an absolutely awful pitch!! The goals were both pure class and Anelka deserved to score at last but what an unselfish set up for SWP as well. Through to the next round and that makes it 8 wins in a row

New signing Franco Di Santo has been speaking exclusively to Chelsea TV about his move from Chilean side Audax Italiano La Florida SADP. Little is known among Blues fans about the 18-year-old, who signed today having trained at Cobham over the past few days. The striker chose to introduce himself as 'a centre forward that moves around a lot. Sometimes I'll be out wide, but through the middle is best for me to score as many goals as possible. 'I like to think I can be a similar sort of player to Hernáand Crespo,' he added. An Argentine Under-20 forward, Di Santo has been playing his football in Chile. 'I've been playing for a team there called Audax Italiano. My last season went well for me thankfully, and hopefully now that'll be the same here at Chelsea. 'I want to do as well as I can and respond by scoring goals, to start with in the reserves and hopefully soon I'll be playing with all the big names here at Chelsea.' Indeed Chelsea's exploits have not gone unnoticed with the youngster. 'Yes, I've seen a bit and heard a bit, and if I can reach their level one day, that would be great,' he said. Source: Chelsea FC

He has all the qualities to be excellant at right back when he is fit. I think right back will be his main position and being able to cover centre back is a massive bonus. Will be good to see him in action at last.